Road numberSwitzerland
An introduction to the traffic rules and road signs of Switzerland. Learn about driving, road safety and much more in our illustrated book, with answers to frequently asked questions.
For informational purposes only. Always follow official regulations. Some content and images were created with AI assistance.
54. Road number
A road number is a number or combination of letters and numbers used to identify a particular road or route within a road network. Road numbers help drivers follow routes, distinguish between different types of roads and navigate between cities, regions and countries.
Road numbers are commonly displayed on route markers and direction signs. Their format, colour and prefixes vary between countries and may indicate whether a route is a motorway, national road, regional road or international route.
Wikimedia.org • Gestrandete 55-cm-Geschirrspülmaschine • CC BY-SA
How are road or route numbers identified in Switzerland?
Swiss number panels distinguish European E-routes, motorways and semi-motorways, and principal roads. The motorway and semi-motorway panel has a white number on red; the principal-road panel has a white number on blue. Read the panel with the destination and road-category signs.
🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Switzerland: OSR56,4.56-4.59; LCR27,32
🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Switzerland: Traffic Rules Ordinance, state1October2026
🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Switzerland: Road Traffic Act, state1July2026
Does a route number by itself establish a speed limit in Switzerland?
No. A route number is an identification and navigation reference. Legal speed limits and other restrictions come from the applicable road category, vehicle rules and regulatory signs; the same route number may include sections with different limits.
🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Switzerland: OSR56,4.56-4.59; LCR27,32
🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Switzerland: Traffic Rules Ordinance, state1October2026
🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Switzerland: Road Traffic Act, state1July2026
What should you check when following a numbered route in Switzerland?
Check the route number, destination, direction and junction or exit signs. If the route shares the road with another number or continues onto a different road class, follow the signs rather than relying solely on a navigation app.
🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Switzerland: OSR56,4.56-4.59; LCR27,32
🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Switzerland: Traffic Rules Ordinance, state1October2026
🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Switzerland: Road Traffic Act, state1July2026

Traffic rules
Switzerland